A cache of e-mails leaked to CNN is giving extraordinary insight into the life of Syria's first family during the regime's move to crush a now-year-long civilian uprising.

The e-mails were obtained by CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360" from a source in the region after the e-mail accounts were hacked. They appear to show a family often occupied with YouTube videos and shopping while the brutal crackdown continued, and they also apparently reveal some of Iran's influence over Syria's president.

Just before Bashar al-Assad delivered a speech January 10, an aide apparently e-mailed him, saying a political adviser to the Iranian ambassador encourages Assad to use "strong and violent" language.

In that speech, al-Assad then promises to strike the opposition with an "iron fist."

There are also e-mails from a man named Hosein Mortada, who - according to his Facebook page - is the Damascus bureau chief for two Iranian news networks. Mortada twice offers advice to the president's aide, who passes it on to Assad.

soundoff(6 Responses)

Ava

those e-mails show who much relentless the Assad family is, along side his followers.. but the Syrian people are a lot more courageous & they are stronger now than ever, more than the Assad regime and his relentlessness.. the Syrian people will prevail.. Godspeed..!

March 18, 2012 at 12:52 am |

anna

the irony is so clear for us but it is wasted on asma and bashar. he is ruling Syria like his father did before him. the only reason his father was successful is becasue people feared the regime. Now that factor is gone. people are not afraid to die. death is better than to be living with no dignity.

March 16, 2012 at 10:33 pm |

Daniel

Assad and his wife will be begging for their lives..The rebels should torture both of them like they tortured the people of Syria!

March 16, 2012 at 2:45 pm |

Em

I've never believed in this stuff before but Bashar al-Assad seems to be the new anti-Christ... according to Nostrodamus.

March 16, 2012 at 1:13 pm |

Simon

Those who do not fight themselves should sit at home in times of war and do NOTHING or send only e-mails with ":-("? People in wartime always tried live as normal as possible. Especially for distraction. Of course in war civilians die, but why should the leaders of the war partys do not go shopping or do nothing more private? This make no sense...

March 16, 2012 at 8:46 am |

Constance adam Roustom

Thank you to Anderson Cooper and CNN for consistent good coverage of the situation in Syria. Keep it up.